Canadian Stage is excited to welcome Jennifer Tarver as she directs the Canadian premiere of innovative Scottish playwright David Greig’s compelling piece The cosmonaut’s last message to the woman he once loved in the former Soviet Union. Featuring a talented cast of stage veterans (Tom Barnett, Raoul Bhaneja, Fiona Byrne, David Jansen, Tony Nappo and Sarah Wilson).

“We are thrilled to share this remarkably poignant production,” says Matthew Jocelyn, Artistic & General Director of Canadian Stage. “This is the first of David Greig’s plays to be presented on a major stage in this country, just as it is director Jennifer Tarver’s Canadian Stage debut. Greig’s characters will truly resonate with audiences in this digital age, as their stories explore our desperate need for human connection and the challenges and loneliness we face in attempting communication – all things we inevitably deal with in our lives.”

In 1991, a Russian cosmonaut was stranded in the Mir Space Station for almost 300 days, a victim of the collapsing Soviet State. David Greig uses this piece of little-known history as a springboard to tell the stories of a group of strangers, lovers and families. The cosmonaut’s last message… follows the intertwined lives of two forgotten cosmonauts who are orbiting the planet, a Scottish couple confronting their failed marriage, a young pole dancer searching for love, a French scientist obsessed with UFOs, a pregnant policewoman and a Norwegian businessman as they try, in their own way, to communicate.

“I am so excited to be working on such an intriguing script with such a vivacious cast,” says director Jennifer Tarver. “This play is full of duality – from the staging of the interwoven stories, to the actors who play multiple characters, to the messages being sent across the cosmos – not necessarily received by the people they were intended for!”

Technology, physical proximity and language all illuminate this examination of the frailties of love, the nature of loneliness and our universal desire for connection. At once clever, funny and unexpectedly moving, the play showcases forty distinct scenes spread over fifteen different locations.

The cast have been working closely with designer Julie Fox and dialect designer Eric Armstrong to create distinct locations and authentic voices. In addition to training with aerial flying effects, cast members have rehearsed speaking in a series of accents and dialects (including Scottish, Russian and Norwegian) to represent each character. Rehearsals have been augmented by a website featuring audio files, one-on-one coaching sessions and a variety of physical exercises.

The production runs from April 16 to May 14, 2011 at the Bluma Appel Theatre (27 Front Street East, Toronto). Tickets from $22 to $99 are available in person, by phone 416.368.3110, or online at canadianstage.com.

Driven by the memory of her grandmother, French-Canadian Director Dany Chiasson travels on horseback across France, retracing Joan of Arc’s first 11-day ride over enemy land to meet the uncrowned King. Along the way, Chiasson meets the colourful characters of the French countryside who animate the surrounding history and attempt to help fulfill her dream: to hear the call of the skylark.

The film Ma Joanne d’Arc (My Joan of Arc) will make its premiere at this year’s Cinéfranco festival. We had a chance to speak with director Dany Chiasson to find out more about this very personal journey.

Heidy (HM): When did you decide to make this film?

Dany Chiasson (DC): I had the idea that I wanted to make a film about Joan of Arc since I was in film school, in university. But I was also aware that several films have been made about this icon. At first, I thought of making a documentary about the people who are passionate about Joan of Arc. I travelled to France and while there, I heard of this man who has travelled on horseback to places that Joan of Arc had been to. That is when I had the idea to make this film. I wanted to live Joan of Arc’s journey on horseback and make a film.
HM: How did you prepare to make the film?

DC: I did a lot of research. I read a LOT of books on Joan of Arc. It seems like the more you read, the more she becomes a mystery. What fascinated me about Joan of Arc is what she represents. Joan of Arc stands for going beyond yourself, past your limit, as well as courage and Faith. In some way, I believe Joan of Arc was a mystic; she had a calling. I wanted the film to be about my version of Joan of Arc.

HM: Could you tell us about the filming process; did you have a plan?

DC: We spent two days in Joan of Arc’s home village. Then the journey on horseback was eleven days. I didn’t have any plans whatsoever. We basically had a window of about three hours at every village and we tried to make a short film at each one of them. If there was nothing to film, then we filmed just that. Little moments added up to give the essence of the journey. The only shot that was planned is that of the little girl in the beginning of the film. She is running through the field then we come to meet this little girl who has likes and dislikes like any other little girl. It was a way of demystifying Joan of Arc from the beginning.

HM: Was the film done independently or where funding producers involved?

DC: The film was done independently; I raised money through various councils. This way I was free to do whatever I wanted. I wanted this freedom to be reflected in the film.

HM: In our interview with Cinéfranco’s Artistic Director, Marcelle Lean, she described your film as “poetic and moving. The film goes beyond the physical journey; it is like a declaration of love to [Dany’s] grandmother.” What do you think about this comment?

DC: Yes, I brought the memory of my grandmother with me on this journey. I am very happy about this. Maybe that is why there are several shots of younger girls and older pople in the film. It’s because of my own relationship with my grandmother since I was a little girl.

HM: What is next for this film; any other festivals?

DC: Well, I love Cinéfranco. What is great about it is its audience. It is a mature audience. For now, thought, I am hoping for a small theatrical release. But I have not submitted the film to any other festivals. I’m ready to move on.

I came across this video on from various sites today.  In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8th, weareequals.org commissioned this video. “Directed by acclaimed ‘Nowhere Boy‘ director/conceptual artist Sam Taylor-Wood, scripted by Jane Goldman (‘Kick Ass’) and featuring the voice of Dame Judi Dench reprising her role as ‘M’, the film will be screened in cinemas and streamed online in a bid to highlight the levels of inequality that persist between men and women in the UK and worldwide. It is the first film featuring Bond to be directed by a woman.”

I know I live a privileged life thanks to the women in my family, my friends and mentors. Yet there are many, many women who are still dealing with strife in all parts of the world. The idea behind IWD is to keep the dialogue going in terms of gender equality and how to improve women’s life around the globe.  Let’s hope one day, the notion of gender equality is no longer an issue and we can focus on how to make the planet equal for ALL.

Now, I know it wasn’t just me who thought the Oscars-cast a bore last night… All you had to do was log in to Tweeter and Facebook and see that many people did not find the ceremony entertaining. I found myself more entertained by Kurt Douglas and missing Billy Crystal as host even more after he made a short appearance.

Regardless of the fact the Oscars were trying to appeal to a younger audience, I think they seriously lost their mark… Here is the list of this year’s winners were:

Best Picture: ‘The King’s Speech’


Best Actor: Colin Firth for ‘The King’s Speech’ –


Best Actress: Natalie Portman for ‘Black Swan’


Best Actor in a Supporting Role: Christian Bale for ‘The Fighter’


Best Actress in a Supporting Role: Melissa Leo for ‘The Fighter’


Best Director: Tom Hooper for ‘The King’s Speech’


Best Adapted Screenplay: Aaron Sorkin for ‘The Social Network’


Best Original Screenplay: David Seidler for ‘The King’s Speech’


Best Foreign Language Film: ‘In a Better World’ (Dir Susanne Bier)


Best Animated Feature: ‘Toy Story 3’


Best Documentary Feature: ‘Inside Job’


Best Documentary Short: ‘Strangers No More’


Best Short Film (Animated): ‘The Lost Thing’


Best Short Film (Live Action): ‘God of Love’


Best Art Direction: Robert Stromberg and Karen O’Hara for ‘Alice in Wonderland’


Best Cinematography: Wally Pfister for ‘Inception’


Best Costume Design: Colleen Atwood for ‘Alice in Wonderland’


Best Make-up: Rick Baker and Dave Elsey for ‘The Wolfman’


Best Film Editing: Angus Wall and Kirk Baxter for ‘The Social Network’


Best Original Score: Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross for ‘The Social Network’


Best Original Song: ‘We Belong Together’, music and lyrics by Randy Newman, for ‘Toy Story 3’


Best Sound Editing: Richard King for ‘Inception’


Best Sound Mixing: Lora Hirschberg, Gary A Rizzo and Ed Novick for ‘Inception’


Best Visual Effects: Paul Franklin, Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley and Peter Bebb for ‘Inception’

I’m actually alright with the notion that there were no real surprises in the winners this year, although my heart sank when ‘Incendies‘ did not win for Best Foreign Language Film and when ‘Wasteland‘ did not get the award for Best Documentary Feature. But alas! the films that won in each respective category are good. All that I can suggest to you is to go see some of these foreign films and documentaries; they’re time well spent and should spark some great discussions.

Following a successful run in 2010 at Theatre Passe Muraille, Canadian Stage is pleased to present the premiere of Project: Humanity’s The Middle Place from February 14 to March 12 in the Berkeley Street Theatre Downstairs (26 Berkeley Street). Tickets from $22 to $49 available at 416.368.3110 or www.canadianstage.com

This gripping piece of verbatim theatre was crafted from interviews with residents and employees of a youth shelter. In 2007, Andrew Kushnir, a young, white, middle-class playwright and performer, ventured into Rexdale, one of Toronto’s roughest neighbourhoods, with a video camera to interview youth and employees at Youth Without Shelter (YWS) about their lives and experiences there. Commissioned by Project: Humanity, Kushnir culled striking moments from 450-pages of transcripts and orchestrated the creation of a compelling 50-page script. The play underwent further development through a series of performances last fall.

“The Middle Place is a unique piece of theatre, the result of a rare act of engagement between makers of theatre and both the management and residents of a Toronto youth shelter,” says Matthew Jocelyn, Artistic & General Director of Canadian Stage. “The spirit, humanity and profound artistry of this project has enabled another unique collaboration between two Toronto theatres, Canadian Stage and Theatre Passe Muraille. Understanding the dynamics of the world in which we live from all angles is where the theatrical experience begins, and sharing this one is of particular importance.”

The 2011 production of The Middle Place is a touching and frank examination of the aspirations, frustrations and tenacity of some of Toronto’s homeless adolescents. Avoiding sentimentality and condescension, this docu-drama explores the lives of its subjects using their own words. The performance is both familiar and unsettling as it captures some of society’s most unheard voices. Under the direction of Alan Dilworth, five actors (Akosua Amo Adem, Antonio Cayonne, Jessica Greenberg, Andrew Kushnir and Kevin Walker) bring to the stage the extraordinary circumstances of sixteen homeless youth, four tireless caseworkers and one outsider in this disquieting and hopeful play.

“The intention with The Middle Place continues to be the creation of a reflecting pool, where each of us has the opportunity for a unique encounter with members of our community and ourselves,” says director Alan Dilworth.

“Project: Humanity and this play are indebted to the generosity and courage of the youth we spoke with,” Kushnir adds. “They’ve afforded all of us an amazing opportunity to take a walk in their words.”

According to YWS research 10,000 youth are homeless at one point in any given year in Toronto. Over 70 per cent of Toronto’s homeless youth have experienced some form of sexual, physical or emotional abuse. Approximately 30 per cent experience mental health issues, 20 per cent struggle with addictions and just over half (50 to 60 per cent) have an education of Grade 11 or less. Prior to arriving at YWS, 40 per cent have gone without food for one day in the past week.

The show starts tonight! Make your way down to the Berkeley Street Theatre and experience another view of our city.

*Information provided by Canadian Stage Press Release.

Toronto’s foremost satirists – The Specials  – return to the Bread & Circus with their absurd and irreverent take on world affairs, pop culture and human idiocy.  Made in China is The Specials fourth sketch comedy revue that combines musical theatre, clown, bouffon and video to create a provocative presentation of outrageous proportions.

Where: Bread and Circus, 299 Augusta Ave, (map: http://bit.ly/ey9QFC )

When: February 11 + 12 and February 18 + 19 | 8:00pm

What: Adam Lazarus (Lupe, Zdenka Now!) directs this character driven, brash comedic mashup that takes a no-holds-barred approach to comedy.

Who: Sandra Battaglini is one of Toronto’s most popular stand-up comedians. She is currently developing a satirical news program for Italy’s RAI network and can be seen in the upcoming feature film “Running Mates” with Henry Winkler. She hosts two of Toronto’s edgiest comedy rooms alongside Phil Luzi: “Sandra Frigginelli & Friends” at the Underground Comedy Lounge, and “The Royal Family Cabaret”, at the Bread & Circus.

Precious Chong is currently developing a television series called “Single Mom” which was one of 21 pitches chosen to showcase by Insight Entertainment. Most recently she can be seen in HBO Canada’s second season of “Living in Your Car” as Christy, the stilt walker and as a screaming wife in “Flashpoint”. Her dad is Tommy Chong of Cheech and Chong. But that doesn’t mean you can hit her up for pot. Seriously. You just can’t.

Phil Luzi is known for his character creation and hosting Toronto’s wackiest shows! He hosts “Sandra Frigginelli & Friends” as the eccentric Sal Feldman, Toronto’s largest non-union talent agent and “The Royal Family Cabaret” with Sandra Battaglini. He also co-hosts, “Carolina Dai”, a satirical Italian lifestyle program currently in development with RAI. He is half of “Kritch & Krütch”, a new comedy musical duo with Christopher Sawchyn. Listen for their upcoming hit single, “I Want to Dance (with you tonight)”.

Christopher Sawchyn has a reputation for his absurdist take on character invention and musical theatre. He combines his extensive background in classical theatre and dance, with bouffon and clown to create a surreal world where anything is possible. He is half of “Kritch & Krütch”, and resident choreographer of The Specials.

Cleopatra Williams guest stars (We Will Rock You, Jersey Boys).

Scott Christian handles musical direction.

If you’re looking for something out of the ordinary to do this weekend, why not check out this sketch show. The Bread & Circus is a small yet welcoming venue and you can enjoy a pint or cocktail during the show… why not?

*Information and image provided by GAT PR.

Another year, another birthday… thankful for the people in my life: my family, friends and those I have yet to meet.  Instead of being rather introspective today, I thought it best to start my day with some favourite tunes.  Enjoy!

“Time may change me…but I can’t trace time.” DB

Nothing like Tony Bennett & Stevie Wonder together…lovely!

Because Mr. Cohen’s voice is sublime…

Roy Ayers…simply wonderful!

Bjork: One of my most favourite female artists…of all time.

Sade: so many great tracks…

Lovely electronic tango by Gotan Project.

Wanna get me on the dance floor? Just play something like Yemeya! Drums, drums, I say!

Abraham Lincoln said, “And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count.  It’s the life in your years.”  And to that I’d add, “it’s the music that keeps you young that count too!”

The Ron White Foundation kicks off the fifteenth year of Canada’s largest shoe drive on January 6th with the support of music legends Celine Dion, David Foster, Paul Anka, The Canadian Tenors, and prodigious newcomers Nikki Yanofsky and Charice.  All have signed and donated their shoes to support Ron as he encourages people to “Follow in the Footsteps of their Favourite Celebrity” and donate their gently worn shoes and boots to those in need.

All donations are welcome beginning Thursday, January 6th and will be collected through Sunday, February 13th at all five Ron White locations across the Greater Toronto Area. An additional collection depot is located on the Avenues Level of the Fairmont Royal York Hotel in downtown Toronto. Shoes and boots collected in all locations will be sorted, cleaned and distributed to shelters and organizations in need.  This year’s charity partners include: Dress for Success, StreetHealth, Halton Place, Out of the Cold and Ve’ahavta.

Ron White officially kicked off the Shoe Drive at his Manulife location on Thursday January 6th.  The kick off event unveiled all new celebrity donations as well as display the shoes of past celebrity supporters including Kevin Spacey, Jeremy Irons, Matt Damon, Mia Farrow, Robert Kennedy Jr, Hilary Duff, Eric McCormack, Michael Cera and more.  Following the kick off event, celebrity shoes and pictures were distributed to all Ron White store windows to help raise awareness and encourage donations.  As part of this year’s crystal anniversary, Ron will be collecting a number of new celebrity donations while at the Golden Globe Awards in Los Angeles in mid-January.

“I am proud to welcome so many members of music royalty to this year’s crystal anniversary of the shoe drive – I never imagined having such incredible support!  I am always looking for new celebrity donations and I’m thrilled to say that now I have people approaching me to help out and be a part of it!  It really is amazing!” said CEO and Creative Director Ron White.  “Last year we surpassed our collection goal but we can do better! I’m asking everyone to look in their closets and to find some winter shoes with life left in them — bring them to us and we will get them to those in need.”

An initiative of the Ron White Foundation, The Ron White Shoe Drive is the largest of its kind in Canada and over the last 15 years has collected and given back more than 21,000 shoes and boots for the men, women and children.  If you’ve made a resolution to clean out that closet this year or frankly, just want to help those in need, why not start by donating that pair of shoes you’re no longer wearing?  I know, I’ll be bringing down some shoes.

Produced by PTV Productions and commissioned by TVO, Inside Disaster Haiti offers a front row seat to the inner-workings of the Haiti relief operation through unprecedented access to the Red Cross’ international disaster response teams, and the individuals who dedicate their lives to saving millions of others in the largest relief operation in their history.

Conceived by Director/Producer Nadine Pequeneza as a project to document a large-scale relief effort, Inside Disaster Haiti was green lit in September 2009 after Pequeneza negotiated access to the International Federation of Red Crosses (IFRC).  For six months the production team had two film crews on standby ready to deploy along with the Red Cross FACT team.  The Red Cross Field Assessment and Coordination Team (FACT) is the Red Cross’ international, multi-disciplinary team, trained to assess need, call in help, and oversee a disaster response.

An hour after the quake struck, Pequeneza was on the phone with her contacts at the Red Cross and plane tickets were booked that evening.  Thirty-six hours later, Nadine and the Inside Disaster Haiti film crew crossed the Dominican border into Haiti along with the Red Cross FACT team. In the early days death is everywhere, but the unfolding tragedy in Haiti is shouldered by the quake’s survivors like Magalie Landee, a 37 yr old middle class entrepreneur who lost four children, her business and her house.  In over 1,500 camps Haitians survive any way they can.  Marcel Phevenun lives with his wife and son in one of the largest camps, Champ de Mars, opposite the crumpled National Palace.  A mechanic by trade and a survivor at heart, Marcel can fix anything.  In the aftermath of the disaster, he is determined to return to normal life.  Louken Pluviose is a local Red Cross volunteer in a camp called Juvenat.  Three weeks on, as a team of Nicaraguan doctors prepares to leave, he’s worried there will be no more help now that the emergency is over.  The church owns the land where Juvenat is set up, and, after six months, in an effort to force people off the land, the priests erect a sheet metal fence around the camp to discourage aid distributions on their property.

Inside Disaster Haiti, the series, is a multi-platform documentary project that includes an interactive website (InsideDisaster.com) and first-person simulation (Inside Disaster Haiti Earthquake) that explore themes around the Haiti earthquake and humanitarian work.  I had a chance to speak with Inside Disaster Haiti’s web director, Katie McKenna in order to learn more about the interactive website and first-person simulation.

InsideDisaster.com, the interactive website, combines content and themes from the documentary series with original photo, video and research created by the 16-person web team under McKenna’s leadership.  They wanted to have content that was interesting, informative and that may make people want to help.  Part of the idea behind the website was how to get people to “be critical thinkers about humanitarian aid.”  Many people have the wrong understanding about humanitarian aid; it is certainly difficult but it works really well.

Inside the Haiti Earthquake is the first-person simulation part of the website.  It combines jaw-dropping footage and stories from the Inside Disaster documentary with original video, photos and music recorded in Haiti.  Through the simulations, users can experience the aftermath of the January 2010 earthquake through three overlapping storylines: that of the survivor, the aid worker, or the journalist.  I must admit, I tried the journalist role first, and I got sent home because I was not being an objective journalist.  I also tried the role of survivor, it certainly is quite difficult to make decisions under such conditions. I have to try the aid worker simulation but I am sure it would be a learning experience as well.   The clip seen here is only one point of view of the situation.

Inside Humanitarianism is the educational part of the website.  Not only do we learn more about humanitarian work but there is a section on careers in humanitarianism, donor education and an interactive gallery.  Many of us are not fully aware of what humanitarian work involves.  This section provides us with some detailed information.  McKenna and team also wanted to make the website useful to high school and post-secondary students.  It is “an academic viable site” that is a resource to students who may also be studying humanitarianism.

Also the web team made social networking and Web 2.0. tools a priority from the beginning — we created Facebook and Twitter accounts, distributed all their web videos through YouTube, and photos through Flickr under a Creative Commons license that allowed others to use and adopt them for non-commercial purposes.  They have built a successful Facebook community (4000 at its peak) using Facebook ads to reach Haitians around the world, as well as community members interested in the Red Cross and humanitarian aid in general.

Inside Disaster Haiti, the three-part documentary detailing the monumental humanitarian efforts of Red Cross relief teams in Haiti makes its World Broadcast Premiere on TVO on January 11th, 12th and 13th, 2010 at 9pm (est), coinciding with the one year anniversary of the devastating Haiti earthquake.  SCN will broadcast Inside Disaster Haiti on January 16, 23, and 30th at 8pm, repeating at 10pm (mt).  It will then repeat in Prime Time on 3 consecutive Wednesdays at 9pm: Wednesday January 26 (ep 1), Wednesday February 2 (ep 2) and Wednesday February 9 (ep 3).

Stay tuned for a possible public screen at Hart House, University of Toronto on January 26th.  For more details visit Inside Disaster Haiti‘s Facebook page and on Twitter.

* Information provide by VKPR media release, Katie McKenna and Nadine Pequeneza.